From: Ulrich Mertens

Thanks to all for your interest in the discussion list "GER-RUS in Germany".

There were many questions about how to find relatives in Germany. Maybe I can give you some useful advice to find them easier.

1. The most common way is, to ask relatives in Germany or searching for them by G-R publications. The problem is, that many of them lost sight of their not so well known relatives. On the other hand there are so many little publications (even for G-R) that it's really difficult to find them in this way.

2. The official way is to search for them with the Red Cross, in Germany: Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK). You have to fill in a form. The problem is, that because of the security of data, it is often also impossible for them to find your relatives.

3. The most simple way is: Try to find them by the telephone book (http://www.teleauskunft1188.de/). O.K., that's not really an unusual idea, but very often the problem is, that you don't know how to write the name:

   a) First of all you have to consider, that the translation from cyrillic to german names is different from cyrillic to american names. If you can't find them, try to change the following "american" letters into "german" letters: AJ or AI to EY or EI ("Meier"), CH to Tsch ("Tschernobyl"), EY to EI or EIJ or EJ ("Andrej"), J to DSCH, KH to CH ("Chutor"), KS to X ("Alexander"), TS to Z ("Zelinograd"), V to W ("Gorbatschow"), Y to J ("Jelzin"), ...SKY =3D ...SKI =3D ...SKIJ, SH to SCH, but in german there is no SCHP (but SP) or SCHT (but ST).

   b) In the Cyrillic's there is no letter fitting to the "german" H. Sometimes it has omitted, but most of the time it has been made to a "G" (Gaak, Getke, Golm). You know, O.K.! But when the G-R came to Germany, they often don't like to change their names after so many years - unaware that the russian form of their names sounds strange to "german ears".

   c) first names: Many of the G-R have russian first names. Because of the same reasons, most of them don't like to translate the first name to the german form (Andrej to Andreas, Evgenij to Eugen ...), although it's free and easy. Those ones with russian first names without any german form (Oxana, Ljubow) have the right to choose any first name they like.

   d) surname: The law concerning the surname is more difficult: In general you have to consider the following things: You have the right to "restore" your russified(?) german surname. But what to do, if your niece Jelena Friesen married a russian Andrej Schutow - and you can't find a Schutow at the phone book. You maybe have to look for Andreas Friesen! They are allowed to drop down their russian surname and take the (former) german surname (of the wife). They aren't allowed to take any name.
   Note: Even in Germany very often you'll only find the husbands name at the telephone book. If you still unsure, ask me - maybe I can help you.

4. You will find G-R's in every german town and village. It's true, to say in Bielefeld and Neuwied there are living many mennonites and Paderborn is a stronghold of baptists, but there are so many other confessions and towns, that it won't help you very much.

5. If you know the place where they should live (but you can't find them at the phone book), write a letter to a "Wohlfahrtsverband" with a "(Spät-) Aussiedlerberatung, /-betreuung". There are socialworkers or -pedagogues who know the G-R of the town or will ask some with the same name (but they aren't allowed to tell you their address - they are only allowed to give them your address). It's not an official way to search for relatives (!), but most of them will help you without any red tape. Wohlfahrtsverbände are: Arbeiterwohlfahrt, Caritas-Verband, Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, Diakonisches Werk and Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband. Don't be afraid, we are writing and speaking a horrible English, but we will understand your letter.